Lamp post



G. G.,KING

LAMP PosT Filed oct. 22, 1928 May 26, 1931.

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Patented May 26, 1931 Uhliiii) ST1-@TES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE G. KING, F SHEFFIELD, ALABAMA,'ASSIGNOR TO KING COMPANY, OF S-IEF- FIELD, ALABAMA., A CORPORATION 0F OHIO LAMP POST Application filed Detener 22,1928. Serial No. 314,184.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in lamp posts, and is an improvement upon vthe invention disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 242,533,

filed December 26, 1927.

In the type of lamp post disclosed in the above application, a safety member is arranged within the post, generally coextensively. therewith, the purpose of said lamp it post being to prevent the collapse of the safety member in case of breakage thereof through collision with vehicles or other causes. rEhe safety member is of comparatively small diameter and is preferably eoaxially disposed within the lamp post, being spaced therefrom throughoutV its entire lengt-h. The lower end of said safety member is provided with a base comprising members divergent from said safety member and attached to the foundation in conjunction with the enlarged base of said lamp post. The upper end of the safety member terminates immediately below the capital or casing fixture and is free thereof.

rThe objects of the present invention are to provide a lamp post construction utilizing the safety member but connecting the upper end thereof in correlation with the upper end of the post and leaving the lower end of said 3G safety member free of the base of the post so that the latter is allowed to give under shock.

Further objects of the invention are to provide in combination with the `safety member a coupling which is secured to the upper end thereof and carries the fixture casing of the lamp post, whereby in case o f breakage of the post, said fixture casing, being mounted on the safety member, is protected.

Stil further objects of the invention are 4@ to provide a coupling adapted to be secured to the upper end of the safety member in cooperative engagement wlth the upper end of the lamp post, said coupling having securedthereto and carrying independently of said lamp post the appropriate lamp' fixture casing whereby the latter is supported independently of said lamp post and 1s protected from injury in case of breakage of the latter. lith these and other objects 1n view, my

invention consists in certain novel features` of construction and arrangement of, parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevational View of a lamp post equipped with my safety member.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken through the lower end of the lamp post. l

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2. j

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken through the lower end of the safety member and showing the support members attached thereto.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental front elevational view, partly in cross section, of the fixture casing showing it attached in position on the safety member in correlation with the hollow lamp post.

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a modified form of my invention showing the coupling formed integral with the lamp fixture casing.

The general construction of the safety member is substantially the same as that disclosed in the aforementioned application, such safety member consisting of a metallic tubular member of suitable diameter arranged within the hollow post and in spaced relation therewith. The lower end of said safety member terminates a suitable distance above' the foundation on which the base of the post is mounted and has attached thereto the upper ends of a series of support rods which diverge from said lower end and are attached to the foundation at points spaced about the center of the post and spaced from the base thereofso that said base can give and shift whenk subjected to lateral shocks.

'l` he hollow lamp post and thesafety member are` held in correlation with each other by a coupling which is'preferably attached to the upper end of the safety member and is in engagement with the upper end of the hollow post, said coupling being adapted to be tightened so as to hold the hollow post in fue proper correlation with said safety member. The fixture casing is detachably secured to said coupling, thereby being mounted independently of the hollow post.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying dr-iwings, yindicates the hollow lamp post or outer shell having its lower end terminating in an enlarged base 11 and having its upper end surmounted by a fixture casing 12 on which is received a lamp 'globe 13. The base 11 is enlarged for 'the purpose of insuring greater stability and to provide proper anchor for the post.

The interior of the base forms a chamber lelin which is received a suitable electrical apparatus, such 'as a transformer 16. Un derground cables 516 connect-said transformer with the electrical supply iline `and wires 18 lead from said transformer upwfardly through post 10, `then vthrough `casing 12 and connect to the electrical lamp (not shown) mounted onsaid'casing and enclosed lby globe 1&3. preferably no attaching means are used for anchoring the base 11 to the concrete foundation 19 'so that said base rests freely thereon and is permitted fto shift when subjected to shocks.

ln order to .prevent the collapse of the lamp ipost when broken as in case of `collision with a vehicle, and to redlice the danger of 'injury to pedestrians from 'the coliapsing of such post7 a safety or retaining member 2t) fis arranged within said post '10, preferably coaxiall;7 therewith. This ty member is preferably in the form of a wrought iron tube of appropriate diameter and of suflicicnt strength so that when said post subjected toa shock sufficient'to shatter said post, said safety member 2() will not be broken under such impact, thereby retaining the shattered portions of the post and preventing them from falling to vthe ground.

The lower end'l of member 20 terminatesy a suitable distance above base and yis secured fo a support member 22. the legs 24 of which Adiverge downwardly `and outwardly and terminate in "horizontallyv disposed perforate lugs 25. These lugs are adapted to rest on the foundation 19 and are adapted vto receive-the threaded Lends 26 of-bolts 2"? which latter are embedded in the foundation. A washer L28 is placed on each lug 25a11d provides a bearing` vfor a nut 29 which is screwseated on the -threadedend 26 and is used Vto secure said llugs in position. Lugs and bolts 27 are spaced a suitable `distance inwardly from the base 11 so that ithe latter is allowed an appropriate lateral movement or play under the impact received, for instance, in collisionwitlra vehicle.

Support member 22 supports the safety member 2() in spaced relation with post 10 and the legs 2li of member 22 are spaced apart so as-not to interfere with the space reserved for the transformer or other electrical apparatus. The legs 2st are preferably formed of steel rods bent to proper shape and thel upper ends of said legs are preferably welded to the lower end 21 of member 2O so as to provide a strong and durable joint therebetween. These steel rodsl 24e .possess a certain degree of resiliency and are therefore capable of absorbing shocks delivered 'to the structure.

The safety member 20 extends a suitable distance beyond the upper end 10*L of lamp post 10 and is provided with a screw thread as indicated at 20a. A coupling member 3U is screw-seated on said threaded end 20L and is provided with a depending annular `flange 31 which enclloses the upwardly extending annular portion 10b formed on the inwardly presented flange 10C of the upper end 10a. This flange 1()c is provided with a central opening through which the upper end 2On of member 20 projects upwardly. Coupling member is preferably provided with a downwardly presented centrally disposed annular extension 33 which partly extends into the central opening 32. By securing coupling member 30 on safety member 20, the upper end 101L of post 10 is secured to safety member 2O in proper spaced relation therewith and said post 10 is held against displacement on foundation 19 under normal conditions. However, when subjected to undue lateral stresses, the base 11 is allowed to shift while the `upper end 2Oa ofthe safety member will give a sufficient 4distance due to the resiliency of said member and the support 22.

Coupling 30 is provided with an upwardly extending annular shoulder 34 for receiving the depending annular fiange of the fixture casing 12. The lower end of this fixture casing is provided with an inwardly and horizontally disposed flange #12 which is provided atspa'ced points with openings 3G for receiving screws 37, which latter are screwseated in the threaded openings 38 formed in coupling 30. In `this manner, the fixture casing 12 is 'dct-achably secured to coupling 30 and is supported thereby independently of lamp post 10. Thus in case of breakage of said lamp post, the fixture casing and the globe carried thereby will not be affected as they are carried independently of the post. Safety member 2O is formed hollow `so that the wires 18 extendtherethrough and through casing 12 to the electric lamp mounted in said casing.

Support 22 is attached to the foundation 19 and safety member 20 is secured to said support `at 21 which is spaced a considerable dist-ance above the foundation in close Vrelation to the point of impact delivered to the post in case of collision. Thus the leverage so producedfis not asgreat as in the case when iii.)

the safety member is secured directly to the foundation. Consequently the damage and distortion of said safety member will not be as greatras in the former case so that the upper end 2()a will notbe displaced any great extent. Furthermore, a large proportion of the impact will be absorbed by the steel rodsv or legs 24.

Coupling member 30 can be made of standard construction so as to fit in post 10 and fixture casing i2. lThe outer design of said coupling is preferably arranged so as to conform with the design of the post and the fixture casing. The inter-position of this fixture between the casing and the lamp post does not affect the styles or the sizes thereof, the only requirements being to form the shouldered extension 10b to fit the annular depending flange Stand the Iupward annular extension 34 to fit the depending liange 35.

In the modified form shown in Figure 8, a single member 39 is formedcomprising a coupling portion 4() and a lamp fixture casing al formed integrally with each other. This not only eliminates attaching means 37 used in the previous form, but also reduces the machining and assembling operations.

In my improved construction the lamp hxture casingvis carried independently of the lamp post. Consequently the breakage of the post does not necessarily result in damage to the lamp xture as the latter is mounted on the safety member,rwhich is not likely to be damaged by the impact delivered to the lamp post. Y

As the safety member is enclosed by the lamp post and the coupling which is surmounted by the lamp fixture is screwed down against the upper end of the lamp post, the extension of the lamp post is unchanged, and the lamp post structure presents usual appearance. The lamp fixture casing and the coupling can be of any suitable design and finish so as to harmonize with the lamp aost. l The lower base ll is spaced a sufficient distance from the anchored ends 25 of rods 9.4L so as to allow a suitable degree of movement of the base when subjected to an impact. rlhe upper end l()et of the post is spaced from the coupling in a similar manner and for the same purpose.

Cbviously, various changes and modifications of my improved lamp post structure and coupling can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described and Icontemplate such structural changes as being within the spirit of my invention.

l claim:

l. A lamp post construction comprising in combination a hollow ornamental standard having an enlarged base and an annularly flanged upper end, a hollow metallic safety member arranged coaxially in said standard and spaced therefrom throughout its entire length, the upper end of said safety member being threaded and extending above the upper end of said standard, the lower end of said safety member terminating short of said base, a plurality of steel resilient rods secured at their upper ends to the outer surface of the lower end of said safety member and divergent therefrom and provided at their lower ends with horizontally disposed perforate feet, means for anchoring said feet in spaced relation with said base whereby said safety member is resiliently supported by said rods independently of said base, a coupling member resting on the flanged upper end of said standard and provided with a central internally threaded opening engaging the threaded Vupper end of said safety member whereby the latter can be placed under tension, and a lamp fixtureV detachably secured to the upper end of said coupling member.

2. In a lamp construction, the combination of a' hollow ornamental metallic standard having an enlarged base and an upwardly flanged upper end, a tubular metallic safety member arranged coaxially within said standard and having its lower end terminating short of said base and having its upper end externally threaded and extending above the flanged upper end of said standard, a

plurality of resilient steel rods secured to the lower end of said safety member and divergent therefrom, the lower ends of said rods terminating in horizontally disposed perforate feet arranged on a horizontal plane with the loweredge of said base, said feet being spaced from the wall of said base and said rods forming a resilient support for said safety member, a foundation, anchoring bolts embedded in the foundation and projecting Vupwardly therefrom through said perforate feet, nutsx screw-threaded on the upper ends of said bolts and holding said perforate feet anchored, a coupling resting on the upper end of said standard and provided with a central internally threaded opening for engaging the threaded end of said safety member, said coupling having its lower end `provided with an annular flange enclosing the flange of said standard, alamp fixture arranged on the upper end ofsaid coupling, and means for detachably securing said fixture to said coupling independently of said safety member and said standard. i Y

3. In a lamp post construction, the combination of a. hollow ornamental metallic standard having an enlarged base, a tubular metallic safety member arranged coaxially with said standard and in spaced relation therewith, a plurality of resilient steel rods having their upper ends secured to the outer face of the lower end of said safety member, thereby leaving said lower end unobstructed, said rods being divergent from said safety member and provided at their lower ends with perfo-rate inwardly presented feet arranl ted in spaced relation with said base, la concrete foundation, anchoring bolts embedded in the concrete foundation and ez;- tendin-g upwardly therefrom through said perforate feetya washer arranged on each perforate foot, a nut screw-threaded on each upper end lof Vsaid bolt and bearing against said washer so as to secure said foot against the foundation, a coupling resting on the upper end of said standard and having a down- -wardly presented annular flange enclosing the annular portieri of the upper Iend of said standard, said coupling being revoluble relatix'ely to said standard and provided with a threaded central opening, the upper end of said safety member being threaded for engagement with said central opening whereby said safety :member is placed under tension and said standard under compression, and a lamp fixture detachably secured to said coupling.

4. A lamp post construction comprising in combination a hollow ornamental standard having an enlarged base, an impact absorbing safety member arranged coaxially in said standard and spaced therefrom throughout its entire length, the upper end of said safety member' extending to a place adjacent the upper end of said standard, the lower end of said safety member terminating short of said base, a plurality of steel resilient rods secured at their upper ends to the outer surface of the lower end of said safety member and divergent therefrom and provided at their lower ends with horizontally disposed perforate feet, means for anchoring` said feet in spaced relation with said base whereby said safety member is resiliently supported by said rods independently of said base, a flanged coupling member resting on the upper end of said standart, means connecting' said coupling member to the upper end of said safety member whereby the latter can be placed under tension, and a lamp fixture detachably secured to the upper end ol' said coupling member.

In a lamp construction, the combination of a hollow ornamental metallic standard having an enlarged base, a tubular metallic safety member arranged coaXially within said standard and having its lower end terminating short of said base and having its upper end extending to a place adjacent the upper end of said standard, a plurality of resilient steel rods secured `to the lower end of said safety member and divergent therefrom, the lower ends of said rods ter-minating in horizontally disposed perforate feet arranged on ahorizontal plane with the lower edge of said base, said feet being spaced from the wall of said base and said rods forming a resilient support for said safety member. a foundation, anchoring bolts embed ded in the foundation and ,projecting uplbination of `a `hollow ornamental metallic standard having an enlarged base, a tubular metallic safety member arranged coaxially with said standard and rin spaced relation therewith7 a plurality of resilient steel rods having their 'upper ends secured to the outer face of the lower end of said safety member, thereby leaving'said lowerend unobstructed` said reds being divergent from said safety member and provided at their lower ends with perforate inwardly presented feet a1'- ra'nged in spaced relation with said base, a concrete foundation, anchoring bolts embedded in theconerete foundation and extending upwardly therefrom through said perfl'orate feet, nuts screw-threaded on said bolts bearing against said -feet so as to secure said feet against the foundation, a coupling` restingl on the 4upper end of said standard and having an annular flange enclosing the annular portion of the upper end of said stamaml. said coupling being revoluble relatively to said lstandard and provided with a cent-ral opening, `means .connecting said coupling- 'lo the upper end of said safety member whcrei by `said safety member is placed under teni sion and said standard `under compression, and a lamp fixture `detachably secured to said coupling.

In testimony whereof l hereunto affix my signature this 15th day of Qctober, 1928.

GEORGE llliG. 

